By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla On 3 May, the Rhodes University’s Faculty of Law and Black Lawyers Association held a panel discussion on the Israel-Palestine conflict and South Africa’s genocide case. Dean of Law, Professor Lawrence Juma, Department of Political International Studies Associate Professor Edward Jordaan, School of Journalism and Media Studies senior lecturer Rod Amner, History Department Master students Lauren Delponté and Meghan Vetch, made up the panel. The discussion was on the Israel-Palestine conflict and South Africa’s genocide case to give “a picture of what is actually happening on the ground,” explained Rhodes student Tamuka Murambiwe. “It’s to give a…
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By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Energies were high as supporters of the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), United Democratic Movement (UDM), African Transformation Movement (ATM) and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) sang chants of support as party representatives stepped onto the stage of Rhodes University Drama Theatre in preparation for the live stream of the eNCA Election Town Hall Debate on Sunday, 21 April. However, the buzz of excitement mixed with nervousness died down as an echo of disdain resounded across the audience when Masego Rahlaga, the presenter and mediator of the debate, said the opening lines for the live…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla and Lehlogonolo Masuku The local business sector is concerned about the dire unemployment situation in Makhanda. Last week, the Makhanda Crisis Committee, the Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM) and the Makhanda Business Forum met at Noluthando Hall to discuss solutions, including driving business through service delivery projects. It started a few years ago when a local protest attracted the attention of then Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxotiwe, who deliberated with businesses. They reached an agreement with the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) involved in the construction of the road from Nathaniel Nyaluza High School to Joza, ending a…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla The gravel road connecting Alicedale to the N2, between Makhanda and Gqeberha, is not part of the network of the South African National Roads Agency Soc Ltd (Sanral), the roads agency has confirmed. In a recent article published by Grocott’s Mail, it was revealed that the project to upgrade the provincial gravel road named MR00476, which goes to Alicedale from the N2, had been discontinued, much to residents’ chagrin. Confusion ensued after it was mistakenly stated in the article that Sanral had had a meeting with the community over the stretch of road. However, it has since…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla The Eastern Cape Department of Transport says it would cost over R602 million to tar the road from the N2 highway to Alicedale, and the cost is too high. The department’s spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, told Grocott’s Mail that to regravel the road costs R10.9 million, and the department’s plan is to do this only once every seven years. The news has angered the ward committee of Alicedale, who say the terrible condition of the road is ruining their lives and that they were never informed that a 2007 promise by the government to tar the road had…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Under the theme Inform a Learner, Save a Learner, the care, support, teaching and learning (CSTL) section of the Department of Basic Education launched the program for 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children on Wednesday, 22 November. School learners around Joza gathered at Noluthando Hall to gain knowledge from various experts. In attendance were representatives of the departments of health, social development and education, Saps, ward 2 councillor Ramie Xonxa. The Marimba band from Amasango Career School provided entertainment with their exciting pieces of music. While welcoming the learners, program director and…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Almost ten years later, with the last Ted X talk in Makhanda in 2012, Nombulelo Gongqa and Vuyokazi Shezi TedxMakhanda organisers decided it was time for a comeback. On Saturday, 4 November, the Ted X was held at Amazwi South African Museum of Literature auditorium, with a variety of speakers such as Monica Newton, National Arts Festival CEO, Cindy Fumbata, the Director for pupil development at Diocesan School for Girls, and Rhodes University’s Nomphumelelo Babeli. The speakers were invited to speak on radical love and softness as tools for community building from their perspective and how to…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla As Makana Municipality and Amatola Water repeatedly reassure the public that the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works (JKWTW) project is capable of delivering water to every tap in the municipality every day, many Makhanda residents’ taps are completely dry. These residents continue to depend on scarce water truck deliveries and hold onto the withering hope of Makana’s water woes being a thing of the past by the end of the year – as promised by Makana municipality. “The thing about the water trucks, it’s rare. It comes those times,” said Precious Nortjie, a Hooggenoeg resident. She said…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Thirteen years after the Makhanda High Court order, the official handover for Amasango Career School’s temporary school premises occurred on 20 September 2023 in Extension 10, Joza location. Principal Agent and project Quantity Surveyor Siyalizwa Magida confirmed in the handover meeting that the school, currently housed in prefabricated classrooms, would finally get the proper school they had been fighting for all these years. The meeting, chaired by Magida, was attended by various stakeholders, including the project contactor, Mpumalanga Construction’s Management team, Ward 12 councillor and LED and Planning coordinator, Mzobanzi Nkwentsha, project architect Beverley Mandimutsira, Civil and…
By Staff Reporter Angry eNkanini community members protested outside the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on 12 September for bail to be denied to the 45-year-old woman accused of the premeditated murder of eNkanini resident Thembinkosi Wambi. The community members presented a signed petition with over 300 signatures to the Magistrate, demanding that Wambi’s alleged murderer be denied bail. According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali the accused was arrested on 28 August. Tyali said, “[She was] denied bail because it is alleged she committed premeditated murder [and the] case is still under investigation.” The woman accused of murder first appeared in court…